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By MIKE BRUCE
Staff Writer

In a band? Wanna be a rockstar? You might as well just quit now because it'll never happen! Unless you know the secret. Do you want to know? Ok I will tell you ... honesty, dedication and persistence. Without these three things ... you are doomed.

Now, the easy part is falling in love with music and deciding that you are destined for stardom. The hard part is realising that it will take years of hard work to even make a living being a musician. Sure, everyone has heard the stories of overnight success and believe me it's a nice fantasy, but it is almost always a fantasy. The exception to the rule.

Getting back to the big secret. Really it is no secret at all but for some reason not too many people get it. Most bands that are deemed "overnight successes" have been together for at least a few years. Probably more like 5 to 10 years. That includes hours and hours of practising on thier own.

The next step is seeking out other musicians. Maybe you're lucky and have a wealth of musical friends that you can jam with, maybe you have to place ads and try your luck with strangers. No matter it's something that has to happen. And all too often there is some shmuck who is gonna break shit up because things aren't happening fast enough or they are more in love with the rockstar ideal than they are with music. You don't need them anyway ... next?

Now you've got your band, here is where being honesty and dedication come in to play. First and foremost ... is your music any good? Record it and play it for people. Maybe put it up on a website and ask for people to review it. Even better, get in touch with an A&R person at a record label and ask for a critique. They are music fans and are always willing to check out something new, you may be the next overnight success!

Ok so you've got great music. Now you've got to be willing to go the distance and rehearse it over and over. Not just the music, but your stage show too. After all you're gonna want to get out and play it for people and you've got to be on the ball. Dedicated bands play hundreds of shows, anywhere, anytime, for anyone. Plus you must self-promote to the 'nth degree! That means website, postering, flyers (many a night have I stood outside a concert in the snow to hand out flyers or stickers).

Maybe you record a demo. Make sure it is the BEST you can make it! Everyone claims they can hear a diamond in the rough, however I guaruntee if you send them a polished version of your song it will get better attention ... unless of course you want a dirty street punk kinda sound ... basically your trying to sell them your vision so whatever works for you. They may not get it at first, but if you get a good response from other people and have built up a following, be persistant. If you build up enough of a buzz, eventually someone will get it and want to help you.

That's where the snowball effect takes place and the years of hard work start to pay off. The industry all talk to each other and once someone takes an interest in something, they all wanna get in there and see what the fuss is about so again, BE PERSISTANT!

Then maybe you do finally get the big record deal. Then maybe you get to make a living, whether it's Puff Daddy living or the local hero. Be honest, do you love the music enough to take everything as it comes? Good or bad? Are you dedicated enough to work at it for years and years? Even if it means passing up other careers with good pay so you can live for the cause? If the answer is yes, then you have what it takes to make it. So do it.

It's 3:30 am and I'm tired ... c-ya!